HARMONY, RESPECT, PURITY AND TRANQUILLITY JAPAN

GREG BRAY, A KEEN GARDENER AND TRAVELLER, REPORTS ON THE RECENT FOUNDATION & FRIENDS 14-DAY TOUR TO JAPAN. PARTICIPANTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY THE LANDSCAPE WHILE STUDYING THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF CERAMICS AND TEA CULTURE.

Foundation & Friends recently sponsored a fully guided 14-day, 15-person tour to Japan, starting in Mito and concluding in Fukuoka.

The hidden value of joining a Foundation & Friends tour, is knowing that the itinerary has been completely researched and painstakingly designed as a labour of love by passionate and experienced volunteer guides. It is priceless when joining a small a tour like this, to travel with others who share the passion for horticulture, science and cultural pursuits. Years spent studying and living in Japan and guiding multiple tour groups through Japan, have furnished our tour leader, Relle Mott, and our local guide, Rocky Watanabe, with the knowledge, linguistic ability and cultural insights to offer us a beautifully curated, educational and fun Japanese tour.

From the outset we were immersed in Japanese culture, starting with the country’s cultural history of ceramics, meeting craftspeople proud of their skills inheritance, and exhibiting not only their beautiful and unique artistry, but also their unfailing generosity and willingness to share this cultural inheritance with us. Luckily for us, many of the ceramics are produced in the most picturesque mountain locations, with the traditional materials and techniques still employed, and available for us to watch and photograph.

Relle was a highly enthusiastic tour leader, whose energy, expertise and passion for Japanese culture made the trip truly unforgettable for everyone.

While we were experiencing our ceramic journey we were also exposed daily to the serene and respectful culture that the Japanese are regarded for. This culture embraces not only the landscape design of their parks and gardens, but also the architecture of their heritage buildings. The gardens feature manicured trees and shrubs, and beautifully designed layouts both on a large and small scale, which draw you in to contemplate the beauty that surrounds you.

The architecture of their buildings and the materials used in construction demand the visitor be quiet, respectful and calm – an atmosphere that is overwhelmingly present in all rooms, corridors and terraces of these buildings. On this trip we traversed the most magnificent scenery that is equal to anything that Japan has to offer. We spent two days within photographic reach of the awesome Mt Fuji, which emerged from a state of shyness behind heavy cloud to reveal the full beauty of its landscape. We were able to observe it from every angle, including from our hotel rooms – wonderful.

And so on through Kyoto, tea farms and the Japanese Tea Ceremony, to steaming, mountainous, beautiful and Onsen-soaked Kyushu. The culture of Onsen was everywhere. We learned chapter and verse, acceptable Onsen hot spring protocols and had the opportunity to visit multiple natural editions of this cultural icon, in every destination.

The accommodation quality was excellent, and the check-in process was seamless in all locations, ensuring we could maximise the experiences awaiting us.

Kyushu also revealed to us the consequences of its proximity to South Korea and the historical impact of Korean migration. This is happening today with Fukuoka hotels filled with Korean tourists with interesting comparisons evident between Korean and Japanese cultures.

One aspect of Japanese culture that was not well known within our group, was the common practice to copy themes of other cultures. The Japanese do this on a grand scale and revel in the lifestyle reflecting the copied culture. And so, we found ourselves staying in Huis Ten Bosch, a theme park in the city of Sasebo, which recreates a Dutch town. It was all there, Dutch architecture, windmills, gardens and canals.

We returned to Fukuoka for a final self-guided tour before enjoying an exceptional French degustation at Hakata railway station, a perfect end to our beautifully curated Japanese tour.

Thank you, Relle, and your on-country guide, Rocky, for such an excellent cultural experience.

Don’t miss the next tour opportunity, where Relle Mott will lead a group through enchanting Bhutan – more details on page 20.

This tour was impeccably curated, allowing us to experience many aspects of Japanese culture in a diverse range of rural and urban environments. Whether it was ceramics, tea culture, or the stunning landscapes, this tour provided a trip like no other.